Bill Text: PA HR265 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Urging the Commonwealth to upgrade its broadband communications network for use by the private and public sectors in the Northern Tier of this Commonwealth.

Sponsorship: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 17-11)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-05-12 - Referred to CONSUMER AFFAIRS [HR265 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2011-HR265-Introduced.html

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PRINTER'S NO. 1882
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 265 Session of2011
INTRODUCED BY HANNA, BAKER, BENNINGHOFF, CALTAGIRONE, CAUSER, CONKLIN, D. COSTA, EVERETT, FABRIZIO, FLECK, GABLER, GEORGE, GINGRICH, GOODMAN, HENNESSEY, HORNAMAN, HUTCHINSON, JOSEPHS, KIRKLAND, KULA, LONGIETTI, MAJOR, MANN, MIRABITO, MOUL AND STURLA, MAY 12, 2011
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON CONSUMER AFFAIRS, MAY 12, 2011
A RESOLUTION
Urging the Commonwealth to upgrade its broadband communications
network for use by the private and public sectors in the
Northern Tier of this Commonwealth.
WHEREAS, Many of the communities in the region of this
Commonwealth referred to as the Northern Tier lack competitive
access to broadband communications and wireless phone services
in the region, which impedes the speed of response in matters of
public safety, economic development and research, analysis and
education; and
WHEREAS, The Marcellus Shale natural gas industry is actively
developing extensive operations in the Northern Tier and lacks
access to adequate broadband communications and wireless phone
services in the region, impacting the speed and effectiveness of
industry development; and
WHEREAS, The wireless communications industry did not have
great financial incentive in the past to develop infrastructure
to improve coverage in the Northern Tier because of limited
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population; however, utilizing Commonwealth-owned infrastructure
and wireless communications, industry can eliminate much of its
upfront infrastructure development costs and more effectively
cover the region with its services to meet the expanding
communications needs; and
WHEREAS, The Commonwealth owns and maintains a vast number of
communications towers and related infrastructure across the
Northern Tier that must be upgraded to adequately support
multiple Commonwealth needs for enhanced broadband
communications in the region; and
WHEREAS, Financial, engineering and construction support from
wireless communications and natural gas industries could be
provided to ensure that the Commonwealth's communications tower
sites, related facilities and resulting broadband communications
network meet or exceed their industries' highest quality control
and performance standards to maximize their effective, long-term
use; and
WHEREAS, The resulting broadband communications network would
significantly benefit all pertinent Commonwealth agencies,
authorities, boards, commissions, councils, departments, offices
and communities in the region and the development of regional
business and industry, including, but not limited to, the
Marcellus Shale natural gas industry and wireless communications
industry; and
WHEREAS, The community, business and industry safety,
economic development, research analysis and educational
opportunities are of paramount importance; and
WHEREAS, The Commonwealth should encourage, invite and guide
wireless communications and natural gas industry collaboration
to facilitate the most mutually advantageous outcome to all
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parties in the Northern Tier; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge the
Commonwealth to upgrade its broadband communications network for
use by the private and public sectors in the Northern Tier of
this Commonwealth.
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